Sri Lanka: Mahinda Rajapaksa loses trust vote for third time

Amidst furore and violence caused by his MPs in Parliament, Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday lost a trust vote for the third time this week.

The no-confidence motions were taken up in the wake of Rajapaksa’s controversial appointment as Prime Minister, replacing Ranil Wickremesinghe who was abruptly sacked by President Maithripala Sirisena three weeks ago.

Former strongman Rajapaksa has however refused to accept the outcome of the first two motions on his appointment and his address to Parliament after failing to prove a majority in the House.

President Sirisena, who has now realigned with Rajapksa, did not endorse the earlier votes, but had promised to accept Friday’s vote. He is yet to acknowledge it or state his decision on future course, in the absence of a PM or cabinet.

Sri Lanka has been facing political crisis since President Sirisena appointed Rajapaksa as new Prime minister replacing Ranil Wickremsinghe last month.

He followed it with prorogation of Parliament and finally with dissolution. However, the Supreme Court stayed the dissolution making way for Parliament to be convened.